It's been reported that he still resents the suggestion from Obama supporters that he played the race card during the rough and tumble Democratic primary. Perhaps that explains why, last week, he applauded John McCain's energy plan. Yesterday, Bill Clinton seemed to imply that voters could be forgiven for voting for a candidate they only agreed with fifty percent of the time, if they believed he was the candidate who could get things done. Could he have meant John McCain?

And now there are reports that Clinton, Bill that is, plans on skipping Obama's historic speech tomorrow at Invesco Field.

Bill Clinton gave a rousing speech tonight. That's not in question. It's what he's grumbling to his inner circle and coyly suggesting in unscripted remarks that's causing headaches - not to mention what can only be considered a Clinton-sized snub tomorrow night.

But is it all Clinton's fault? Barack Obama has not been exactly gracious about his predecessor's political accomplishments. Indeed, he told the Rena Gazette-Journal:

"I think Ronald Reagan changed the trajectory of America in a way that Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not."

In one line, Obama managed to diminish Clinton's genuine political accomplishments and compare him to perhaps the most hated figure in the Democratic Party - behind George W. Bush.

Tonight, Clinton was gracious. As for the next two months? Well, Hillary had a hard time keeping him on a leash, most recently when she was running for the Democratic nomination. Between Joe Biden and Bill Clinton's penchants for off the cuff remarks and off the grid observations, the Obama campaign will be challenged to keep these two political heavy weights off of the front page. As a political junkie and a conservative, I hope they don't.

soundoff(98 Responses)

Good grief!! Bill Clinton gave one hell of a speech tonight that underlined in no uncertain terms exactly why Barack Obama is the best man for the job, and what does CNN do?

......CNN turns it into yet another excuse to play up the drama.

August 27, 2008 09:49 pm at 9:49 pm |

Southerner

Bill has one thing going for him that Obama never will. He's been president of the United States!

August 27, 2008 09:49 pm at 9:49 pm |

Jeffrey

"In one line, Obama managed to diminish Clinton's genuine political accomplishments and compare him to perhaps the most hated figure in the Democratic Party — behind George W. Bush."

Uh, that would be YOUR interpretation of what was done and a very inaccurate one at that.

And so what if he isn't going to be at the speech tomorrow night?

Give it a rest.

August 27, 2008 09:49 pm at 9:49 pm |

Jack from Freedom USA

President Clinton expressed it very well, we can't afford another republican term in the White House, we are broke and it's not getting any better with the republican cronyism to themselves "the wealthiest few".

America needs change, we can't slip into a country of "Republican Royalty". We need to preserve our democracy and reject the elitist views of the republican right wing!

August 27, 2008 09:49 pm at 9:49 pm |

Loretta from California

This was the greatest speech so far and I'm ever so proud to be a Democrat. CNN, why didn't you allow us to hear more of John Kerry's speech? Do I have to change to CSPAN FOR BETTER COVERAGE?

Democrats Unite!!!!!!

August 27, 2008 09:49 pm at 9:49 pm |

Randall in Seattle

This is typical of the recent barrage of anti-democrat, anti-Obama, anti-Biden swill dreamed up by the dittoheads on the right. I've never seen such blatant repetition of the party line.

Why is this given any credence? This type of "opinion" piece should be flushed down the toilet as is appropriate for what it contains.

August 27, 2008 09:49 pm at 9:49 pm |

Nana

Amy Holmes please get a life. The Clintons have moved on so please move on!!

August 27, 2008 09:49 pm at 9:49 pm |

chitowngal07

"And now there are reports that Clinton, Bill that is, plans on skipping Obama's historic speech tomorrow at Invesco Field."

I would not blame him! Here's a gal that would rather eat dirt than watch another darn speech by Obama.

August 27, 2008 09:50 pm at 9:50 pm |

Spencer in Cali

Just like last night, And the night before, THE RIGHT WING LOSES AGAIN!!

You cannot spin or politic your way out of the TRUTH Amy Holmes!!

Hillary Supporter for Obama 08!!

August 27, 2008 09:51 pm at 9:51 pm |

Sue

Your line about what Barack Obama said about Ronald Reagan is really old news. Don't you have anyting better to write about? Can't you come up with something original.

And, what do you know about the workings of Bill Clinton's inner circle? I'll venture to say that you are not in it.

Perhaps, as Bill said, he is not going to Obama's acceptance speech because it is Obama's night.

Good grief...get a life.

August 27, 2008 09:51 pm at 9:51 pm |

gc

I don't get what you are trying to report. Yes he is upset that his wife didn't win. He should be able to be frustrated without you reporting every word. Looks like you are trying to create a story here. He just delivered a great speech and you are already trying to nuetralize it. That is not reporting!

August 27, 2008 09:51 pm at 9:51 pm |

judy

Whatever a conservative says, it is only to divide, not unite Americans!

August 27, 2008 09:51 pm at 9:51 pm |

Tammy - KCMO

I think the media and the Republicans would like to keep the divisiveness alive to continue to cause chaos.
Both Clintons did a great job supporting Obama these past few days and it's time for the media to go find a bone to chew with McCain.
Congratulations Obama!!!!

August 27, 2008 09:51 pm at 9:51 pm |

Franky

@Don

That's because we got nothing to do, you got a problem with that?? Plus, we like to talk.........A LOT! LOL!!!!

So........how you doing Amy? LOL!!! Na'h, I'm just playing, LOL!!

August 27, 2008 09:52 pm at 9:52 pm |

Anonymous

cnn stop dividing and hating. The dems are united. Kerry gave an electifying speech discussing the two sides of McCain and how dare McCain question Obama's patriotism. Your network refuse to discuss the unification and the tuff speeches of the dems. You keep discussing the trash from the republican surrogates instead of covering the dem convention. You refuse to discuss the truth because you are in the pockets of the republicans. Your netwrok is a disgrace.

August 27, 2008 09:52 pm at 9:52 pm |

Bob

Its not a matter of divide, we just simply disagree. Thats a major problem with Liberals, they feel everyone should think as they do, and when they don't... shout them down.

August 27, 2008 09:52 pm at 9:52 pm |

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE AGENTS FROM HELL

ANOTHER THING IT'S PERSONAL FOR ALL OF US, WE ALL HAVE A STAKE IN THIS, WE ALL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A HARD FOUGHT CAMPAIGN, BUT THIS DAY AND FORWARD YOU WILL NOT BE TOLORATED, IT'S NOT AS IF WE DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER MEDIA SOURCE TO KEEP US INFORMED FROM A NONBIAS VIEW, THAT ONE IS C-SPAN. THEY KNOW HOW TO REPORT THE NEWS AND ARE NOT IN DIRE NEED TO INVENT IT FOR GAIN

CALLING ALL DEM AND INDEPENTENTS FOR PROGRESS TO BLACKBALL CNN!

I DO REALIZE THAT THIS WILL NOT GET POSTED, BUT AT LEAST SOMEONE FROM YOUR NASTY NETWORK WILL KNOW HOW I FEEL!

August 27, 2008 09:52 pm at 9:52 pm |

Joe Reg

Congratulation Bill!

Finally the fairy tale is real. United we will recapture the White House.

America has a big surprise for the repubs this year.

Obama/Biden 08/12.

August 27, 2008 09:52 pm at 9:52 pm |

Kevin - Jonesboro, GA

Go ahead Amy and continue the nonsense...that's the only way your old boy will have a chance at winning.

August 27, 2008 09:53 pm at 9:53 pm |

dion booker

United I stand with Democrats, divided I stand with Republicans.. The Clintons know that if they do not stand with Obama there will be repurcussions when Hillary does run for President. I love Hillary and am a strong supporter. The Clintons cannot cause the the democrats to loose.

August 27, 2008 09:53 pm at 9:53 pm |

Gennamir

PLEASE STOP CNN!! PLEASE! Nobody can diminish Bill Clinton's accomplishments! This is just another way to be negative!

Exactly, Don... I was really confused by the "perspective" of this "commentary" until I noticed it was by a "conservative commentator"... these guys are shaking in their boots, getting more and more negative, doing anything, including flat out public lying, to try to sour people.

NOT THIS TIME!!

O/B '08!!

August 27, 2008 09:53 pm at 9:53 pm |

Mack

I would hope Clinton, as a former President, would recognize good policy when he sees it, even if it is only in the form of golf-clap applause for a half-hearted plan that will only enrich the oil companies' hand in a dying (and drying) industry.

That's his prerogative and I appreciate it, just like I appreciate his informed opinion that Obama is ready to lead this country and is a far, far better choice than yet one more four-year repeat of the last eight years of failed policies and diminished standing in the eyes of the world at large.

August 27, 2008 09:53 pm at 9:53 pm |

Beth

I agree, why have a conservative make the comment. She wouldn't have said anything remotely unbaised no matter what.